Another Day, Another Briefing, Another Delay

October 4, 2022

Tuesday, October 4 2:40 PM MDT (2040 UTC) It’s getting to be a familiar routine – the eight America’s Challenge teams, along with officials, crew, and weather guys, file into…

Groundhog Day at the America's Challenge?

October 3, 2022

October 3, 2022 7:30 PM (0130 UTC 10/4/2022) Unpredictable, unstable weather continues to plague the America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons. A briefing scheduled for 8 PM MDT…

Weather Window Opening for America's Challenge?

October 3, 2022

October 3, 2022 2:40 PM MDT (2040 UTC) The first shafts of light are finally beginning to shine into the weather picture for the 25th America’s Challenge gas balloon race, with potential…

Pilots Gather for Monday Briefing

October 3, 2022

The America’s Challenge teams will shortly begin filing into the briefing room at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta headquarters near Balloon Fiesta Park for the 2 PM MDT (200…

America's Challenge Weather Delays Continue

October 2, 2022

Sunday, October 2, 2022 1700 MDT (2300 UTC) Why are these people smiling? Certainly not because of the unstable weather that continues to plague the 25th America's Challenge distance race f…

Next America's Challenge briefing at 3 PM (2100 UTC) Sunday

October 2, 2022

The America's Challenge gas balloon race teams will meet at 3 PM (2100 UTC) on Sunday, October 2, to review weather conditions and potential launch windows for the race. Race officials and th…

America's Challenge Launch Anticipated Saturday October 1

September 30, 2022

9/30/2022 5 PM MDT/2300 UTC The eight America's Challenge teams are safely in Albuquerque and eagerly anticipating the 25th America's Challenge distance race for gas balloons. The launch wind…

Ready for Adventure: Teams Gear Up for 24th America's Challenge

September 22, 2021

After a one-year COVID postponement, adventurous gas balloonists are eagerly awaiting the return of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s America’s Challenge distance race…

Final America's Challenge Results Released as Competitors Celebrate

October 12, 2019

Posted 10:30 PM MDT (0430z) The results of the 23rd America’s Challenge race for gas balloons are now final and confirm what everyone already knew: Andy Cayton of the US and Krzysztof…

Results, Photos, and Videos - America's Challenge Flights and Landings

October 11, 2019

Posted 11 PM MDT (0500z) We are pleased to share with you official results for the 23rd Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta America's Challenge distance race for gas balloons. These resu…

Second No More! Cayton-Zapart Emerge On Top At America's Challenge

October 10, 2019

Posted: 8:30 AM MDT (1430z) In 2014, Poland’s Krzysztof Zapart, a jovial newcomer to gas ballooning, flew in his first America’s Challenge and impressed in his debut by finishing s…

Last Balloon Standing! Cayton-Zapart Pursue Race Leaders

October 9, 2019

Posted 4:45 PM MDT (2045z) And then there was one. French competitors Eric Decellieres and Vincent Leys (Team 2) reported their safe landing to the America's Challenge Command Center. They ar…

Interview with America's Challenge Race Meteorologist Randy Lefevre

October 9, 2019

Note: This interview was recorded before Team 7 (Pelard/Peterle) landed.

America's Challenge Leaders Land, Two Teams Still Flying

October 9, 2019

Posted 12:00 PM MDT (1800z) The Command Center has just received word that the race leaders, Benoit Pelard and Benoit Peterle of France (Team 7), have executed a safe landing east of Atikokan…

Team 5, Fricke-Cuneo, and Team 3 , Duncan-Cowlishaw, Report Safe Landings

October 9, 2019

Posted 8:20 AM MDT (1420z) The field still flying in the 23rd America's Challenge for gas balloons is now down to three, as more of the teams report landings. With brisk ground winds in Minne…

America's Challenge Landing Update, Teams 9 and 4 Report Safe Landings

October 9, 2019

Posted 7:30 AM MDT (1330z) In the past few minutes, two of the US teams have reported safe landings to the Command Center. Team 9, Cheri White and Mark Sullivan, landed near Hossmann, MN, we…

Austrian Team Lands in Minnesota; Seven Teams Still Aloft

October 9, 2019

Posted 5:45 AM MDT (1145z) The Command Center confirms that Team 8, Christian Wagner and Thomas Lewetz of Austria, have landed safely near Wheaton MN, close to the border with South Dakota.…

Photos from the America's Challenge teams

October 8, 2019

Enjoy these photos sent back on October 8, 2019 from our teams flying in the America's Challenge. Our thanks to the teams for giving us permission to share their experience!

First America's Challenge Team Lands

October 8, 2019

Posted 9:45 PM MDT (0345z) The Command Center has just received word that Team 6, Americans Al Nels and Andy Baird, have made a safe nighttime landing near Superior, Nebraska, just north of th…

All Nine Teams Still Flying as America's Challenge Begins Second Day

October 8, 2019

Posted 8:00 PM (1500z) It has been a quiet, routine day in the America’s Challenge Command Center, which usually means it has also been a routine day – as routine as it gets in a g…

Welcome Sunrise: America's Challenge Teams in Texas

October 8, 2019

Posted 9:00 AM (1500z) The nine teams competing in the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta’s America’s Challenge race for gas balloons are approaching their 12-hour mark al…

America's Challenge Airborne! Teams Float Northward

October 7, 2019

Posted 10:45 PM MDT (0445z) View Balloon Fiesta Live’s broadcast of the launch here! After two days of delays due to weather both in Albuquerque and downrange, it was all worth the wait.…

Ready To Go the Distance: America's Challenge Teams Prepare for Monday Launch

October 7, 2019

Posted 2:00 pm (2000z) The formal briefings are completed, the field is being prepared, and the nine international teams in the America’s Challenge distance race for gas balloons are in…

America's Challenge Launch Scheduled Monday, October 7

October 6, 2019

Posted 2:00 pm (2000z) Video update from Event Director Sam Parks Posted late Sunday night: Competitors unwind and reflect on tomorrow's race at Peter and Barbara's legendary lasagna party! At…

Video Interview: Event Director Sam Parks on America's Challenge Postponement

October 5, 2019